OUT WEST - Surat QLD

From our camp spot overlooking the River in the little town of Surat in Western Queensland, I had  sweeping views of the Balonne River. Enough for any artist you might think….

But no. There was a fascinating little group of black trunked trees behind us - it caught my perverse artist’s eye.  

I loved the way the sharp black contrast of the tree trunks stood out against the verdant greens and oranges of the landscape.

Look at the way the trunks make a unique pattern enclosing the bold colours behind! Sublime!

As an artist, I have always avoided painting trees, finding them lackng the interesting form of rocks and more solid landscapes.  But I joined a painting group led by a friend of mine, Trevor Purvis, who led a painting group out to Eulo.  

It wasn’t immediate, but the trees from west Queensland gradually ‘grew’ on me (haha) so much so that now I’ve photographed thousands of them and painted many too. A new fascination for an artist is a wonderful thing… Thankyou for the opportunity Trevor - and all the fun! (I do highly recommend artists and wannabe artists to join Trevor Purvis on one of his jaunts.)